Thursday, May 31, 2012

So, you may or not have noticed that has been several MAJOR changes to the blog. For one thing, it has a different name and url, but I just wanted to let you all know, it is the same site: Journey to Another World is now Ramblings of a Book-A-Holic. I felt like it was time for a name change; I'm not really good with these things, but I feel like the new title suits the blog and myself much better. Also the background and some other things have changed here and there, but it is basically the same layout and everything. So I hope you all can adjust to the change, and I also hope I didn't confuse too many of you guys :)

While I'm at it, let me just say that my summer vacation officially started last week (YAY!). This means I have loads of time to bring the blog back to life, which if you noticed, I have been spending a lot of time on today. I apologize again for not doing much the last few months. I was in my senior year of high school and was crazy busy, but now I'm free until the Fall when I leave for college, leaving plenty of time to get back into blogging (that is, unless I get a summer job (*cross your fingers!*).

So embrace the change, and help get word out about 'Ramblings of a Book-A-Holic'.

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind

~~~~~~~

This book was very emotional for me, mainly because the
topic at hand was cancer. Having a cancer patient for a grandfather, I was a
tad weary at reading this book because I felt it would upset me, but instead,
it opened my eyes more. I’m glad to have read it.

This is my first John Green book and after reading it, I am
definitely planning on getting my hands on his other books which I hear are
really good as well.

Hazel’s life is a miracle all itself; being diagnosed with
stage four cancer is definitely no field day. Augustus Waters is lucky to be
alive as well after losing one of his legs to osteosarcoma. They meet at a
cancer support group meeting which Hazel generally attends weekly. They have an
immediate connection. They become close, and exchange their favorite books. The
book Hazel gives Gus is about a girl with cancer and he loved it just as much
as she did. This book however, doesn’t really end; so it has always been Hazel’s
dream to hear the end of the story.

Green’s writing is addictive; that’s the only way I can seem
to describe it. I was hooked from page one. He didn’t write it as a book about
cancer, but rather as a book about love, loss, and disappointment. It just so
happened the two main characters had cancer. This book was emotional and at
times heart-breaking. The plot wasn’t clichéd, and was definitely unique and
special. It left a beautiful ache in my heart.

I especially loved the whole side plot about the book. One
would think it would be an amazing experience to meet their favorite author in
their own home, but for Hazel, it was more of a nightmare and a major
disappointment. Though I do believe Mr. Peter Van Houten does redeem himself at
the end; especially hearing the reason behind why he is the way he is: rude, a
drunk, and just a lousy person to be around.

As my first John Green novel, I was left thinking, What took me so long?! I was not let
down from my expectations for it was everything I expected and more. I would
recommend this book to everyone I know because it gives them a rather different
perspective of life around them, and tells them every moment we live is
precious, so live life to the fullest.

Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.

She hated how much it felt like good-bye.

Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I cannot even formulate the proper words to describe this
book. Never have I been so emotional through a book than I was while reading this.

I have always respected Laurel, but I often found myself
wanting to slap her. Most of these harsh feelings were brought on by the fact
that I don’t like Tanami. Yep, I saying it now: I don’t like him, never did,
and even though now the series is over, I STILL don’t like him. I don’t know if
it’s because of him himself, or the fact that I loved David with Laurel. Both
regardless, I don’t like him.

Now that I made that clear, you can imagine that every time
Laurel and Tamani decided to make out, I was pulling of my hair. I hated how
she treated David and I would have been satisfied if Chelsea and him ended up
together instead, but alas, Miss Pike threw us another curveball there with
David’s heart felt, heart wrenching, tear jerking, letter at the end. I was so
sad after reading it L

The book itself was more than I imagined it to be. I started
reading it and could not stop. Be warned, if you read this novel, you will
experience a range of emotions including happiness, joy, sadness, anger, fear,
and if you are a David fan like me, you will cry and cry, but that’s ok, don’t
let people tell you that’s weird :P haha

Destined was an amazing and emotional roller coaster. I am
sad that Laurel’s adventures are now over but do look forward to anything Ms
Pike publishes in the future.

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After reading Harrington’s book Clarity, I was DYING for the next book. And I was not disappointed when I finally got my hands on it. Kim Harrington has a talent for keeping you guessing throughout her stories. There was never a second in Perception where I lost interest or became bored. I love Kim’s style of writing. When an author has the ability to write in a way that keeps you hooked on her every word and glued to your seat, you know they are something special; and talented. Reading her books, you don’t feel like you’re reading words on a page…how should I put this? It’s almost like you are in the book with the characters, picking up all the little clues and hints thrown at you along the way, and you’re trying to help put all the pieces together and help the characters, if that makes any sense haha.

But anyway, on to the book itself. You have most of the same characters, plus the introduction of a few new ones. I don’t really have anything bad to say about this book. It had me guessing up to the very end. I would definitely recommend this book and series to anybody; I feel as though it has a little bit of something for everyone. Yes, there is a love triangle, but when isn't there one? It’s a hard fact to face, but nowadays they are pretty much unavoidable in YA novels. I can’t say I was happy or disappointed with who Clare eventually chose.

I have to add, because I’m a major dork, that I got so excited by this ONE line from the book:

“You don’t realize it do you?”I blinked twice. “Realize what?”“What makes you different makes you beautiful.”

Now, I LOVED this because if any of you have ever seen the Princess Diaries, there’s a song in it called ‘What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)’ sung by the Backstreet Boys, who just so happen to be the love of my life (I’m pretty obsessed, have been since I was 4). So I have to give you huge points for that Kim, lol. I had a total BSB moment there and couldn’t stop singing the song after reading that line.

So back to the review, if you’ve read Clarity, then read this book. If you haven’t read Clarity, then read it, THEN read this book! You won’t be disappointed, and if you are then that’s okay too

Sunday, May 6, 2012

I want to apologize (once again -_-) for the lack of activity. I'm in my senior year of high school so things have been a tad hectic the past few months. But, there is good news! My last day of school is May 24th, so after then, I will be able to spend more time on this blog and bring it back to life. Expect to see a LOT of new reviews and posts up around then. I'm currently going back and writing reviews for books I've read this year (about 32, according to GoodReads :)).

So just hang in there a few more weeks! Below is a list of books you can expect to see a review for:

Undercurrent (Siren #2) by Tricia Rayburn

Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington

Fissure (The Patrick Chronicles #1) by Nicole Williams

Touch by Jennifer Snyder

The Forest of Adventure (Knight Trilogy #1) by Katie M. John

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano

A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters #2) by Kelly Keaton

Siren (Siren #1) by Tricia Rayburn

Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)by Cambria Hebert

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthis Hand

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)by Jessica Spotswood

Shatte Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

Before (Heven and Hell #0.5) by Cambria Hebert

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

One Black Rose (One Black Rose #1)by Maddy Edwards

The HUnger Games (The HUnger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

There are a few more, plus whatever I read between now and then, but I just wanted to give you a taste as to what to expect.